MAKATI CITY — Art lovers, students, and curious visitors can experience the creative perspectives of Filipino youth through a new free exhibition at the Ayala Museum. “What is the art of the young?: Select Artworks from the Shell National Students Art Competition” is currently on view at the museum’s 2F Changing Gallery, offering visitors an opportunity to look beyond the artworks and actively engage with the ideas behind them. The exhibition presents a curated selection of works created by university students who have participated in the Shell National Students Art Competition (NSAC), one of the country’s longest-running student art competitions. Since its establishment in 1952, the NSAC has documented the emotions, aspirations, and experiences of Filipino youth through various forms of artistic expression, including oil, acrylic, sculpture, and digital art.
When Art Becomes a Conversation
Rather than simply asking visitors to observe, the exhibition encourages them to become part of the experience. Each featured painting is accompanied by a question designed to encourage reflection, with visitors invited to leave their own responses within the gallery. The interactive presentation encourages guests to consider what they see, what emotions or memories the artworks evoke, and whether the hopes and curiosities expressed by young artists remain relevant across generations. Featured works come from the competition’s 58th edition in 2025, which received more than 2,200 entries from universities and colleges throughout the Philippines. Fifteen student-artists were recognized for transforming the theme “Alab” into compelling visual narratives. The exhibition also offers a glimpse into the future of the competition, with the 59th edition currently accepting entries under the theme “Sulyap,” a Filipino word meaning “a glance” or “a quick look.”
Celebrating the Next Generation of Filipino Artists
For more than seven decades, the Shell NSAC has provided an important platform for discovering and nurturing emerging Filipino artistic talent. By bringing selected works from past competitions together, the exhibition allows audiences to observe how student artistry has developed over the years while discovering themes and perspectives that continue to connect different generations. The artworks demonstrate how the ideas expressed by young Filipino creators can remain meaningful long after they were first created. For students, art enthusiasts, and first-time gallery visitors alike, the exhibition offers an opportunity to encounter emerging voices and reflect on the continuing influence of youthful creativity.
Plan Your Visit
“What is the art of the young?” is presented at the 2F Changing Gallery of the Ayala Museum, located at Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Admission to the exhibition is free, and walk-ins are welcome. Visitors interested in other exhibitions and upcoming programs may check the Ayala Museum’s official website and social media channels for updates.
